Objectives. The Agricultural Conservation Zone provides a full range
of agricultural and farming activities, protects these established
uses from encroaching development which might adversely affect the
agricultural economy of the County and encourages the right to farm
in the County without undue burden on the landowner. The zone is to
prevent premature urbanization in areas where public utilities, roads
and other public facilities are planned to meet exclusively rural
needs and where present public programs do not propose public facility
improvements suitable for development at higher densities. This zone
provides for certain agriculture-related commercial and industrial
uses with special conditions. Such uses are to accommodate flexibility
in the use of lands by those persons or organizations that pursue
agriculture activities and/or earn their income from agriculture when
these uses are not in conflict with the protection of farmland and
support protection of the farm economy. The zone protects existing
natural resources and scenic values and provides limitations on residential
development and encroachment in these areas dominated by agricultural
uses. In addition, the zone assists in the implementation of the County's
Transferable Development Rights (TDR) Program by providing an appropriate
zone to be designated as a sending area.

General regulations. Minimum lot area, area per dwelling unit, building setback from adjacent lot lines, lot width, front yard, side yard, rear yard and maximum building height, as displayed in Figure VI-1,[1] shall apply subject to other requirements of this chapter.

Customary agricultural activities and operations in accordance with
good husbandry practices, which do not cause bodily injury or directly
endanger human health, are permitted and preferred activities, including
activities which may produce normal agriculturally related noise and
odors.

The Planning Commission may, upon findings of fact, require the establishment
of buffer areas where necessary to protect this abutting agricultural
zone from the impact of the subdivisions hereafter approved.

RC Rural Conservation Zone. This zone maintains low-density residential
development, preserves the rural environment and natural features
and established character of the area. It also maintains existing
agricultural and aquacultural activities and the land base necessary
to support these activities.

RR Rural Residential Zone. This zone provides for low to moderate
residential densities in areas closer to portions of the development
district and incorporated towns. These areas contain or are within
the sphere of influences of community facilities and services, including
schools, and are in proximity to major transportation network components.[1]

General regulations. Minimum lot area, area per dwelling unit, building setback from adjacent lot lines, lot width, front yard, side yard, rear yard and maximum building height, as displayed in Figure VI-2,[2] shall apply subject to other requirements of this chapter.

Normal agricultural activities and operations in accordance with
good husbandry practices, which do not cause bodily injury or directly
endanger human health, are permitted and preferred activities, including
activities which may produce normal agriculturally related noise and
odors.

The Planning Commission may, upon findings of fact, require the establishment
of buffer zones where necessary to protect abutting agricultural or
rural countryside conservation zone areas from the impact of the subdivisions
hereafter approved.

RV Village Residential Zone. This zone directs new residential growth
into villages by providing low- to medium-density residential development
where the pattern of development has previously been established.

General regulations. Minimum lot area, area per dwelling unit, building setback from adjacent lot lines, lot width, front yard, side yard, rear yard and maximum building height, as displayed in Figure VI-3, shall apply subject to other requirements of this chapter.[1]

Site design and architectural review of site plans and buildings
for all commercial construction in the CV Zone must be obtained. All
new construction, renovation and expansion projects shall comply with
all applicable sections of the site design and architectural commercial
and industrial guidelines and standards. Projects that do not add
more than 2,000 square feet of gross floor area or alter more than
25% of the building facade or site area are exempt. The guidelines
and standards shall conform to appropriate planning principles and
to the purposes stated for the CV Zone.

Objectives. These zones, Low-Density Residential (RL), Medium-Density
Residential (RM), High-Density Residential (RH) and Residential Office
(RO), concentrate residential development in areas identified as development
districts in the Comprehensive Plan. Such areas are suitable for suburban
intensities of development because public water and sewer, roads and
other public facilities are available or planned at some future time.
These zones assist in implementation of the County's Transferable
Development Rights (TDR) Program by providing appropriate locations
for receiving areas.

RL Low-Density Residential Zone. This zone provides for low- to medium-density
residential development in areas where public water and sewer, roads
and other public facilities are not currently available, adequate
or planned for the immediate future, but might be provided through
design and construction of sewer waste treatment facilities or roads
or through extension of public water or sewer utilities or roads at
some future time. These areas include portions of the development
districts where settlement patterns are generally established but
sewer and water systems and roads may not be in place to service new
development.

RM Medium-Density Residential Zone. This zone provides for medium-
to high-density residential development in those areas of the development
district and town centers where public water and sewer and other public
facilities are available and can support higher development densities.

RO Residential/Office Zone. This zone accommodates a mixture of office
and residential uses in a manner that assures that low-intensity commercial
uses are compatible with adjacent dwellings. This zone may serve as
a transition between higher-intensity commercial uses and residential
uses.

General regulations. Minimum lot area, area per dwelling unit, building setback from adjacent lot lines, lot width, front yard, side yard, rear yard and maximum building height, as displayed in Figure VI-4, shall apply subject to other requirements of this chapter.[1]

Objectives. These zones, Neighborhood Commercial (CN), Community
Commercial (CC), Central Business (CB) and Business Park (BP), provide
distinctive standards for the range of commercial uses from neighborhood
business to highway-oriented commercial uses. They direct commercial
activities into commercial clusters to discourage "strip" development.

CN Neighborhood Commercial Zone. This zone provides limited retail
and commercial services which satisfy those basic daily consumer needs
of residential neighborhoods. Standards are established to minimize
impact on residential zones by providing for similar building massing
and low concentration of vehicular traffic.

CC Community Commercial Zone. This zone provides a wide range of
commercial uses and establishments to serve several neighborhoods
in appropriate locations along major roads while discouraging strip
development.

CB Central Business Zone. This zone provides appropriate locations
for high-intensity commercial uses and encourages development consistent
with a traditional downtown area. This zone is located in town centers
and the urban core as designated in the Comprehensive Plan.

BP Business Park Zone. This zone concentrates business and light
industrial uses in a parklike setting to promote economic development
and job creation while protecting the environment and reducing impacts
on the surrounding residential neighborhoods. This zone is located
where a large area of land permits horizontal expansion sufficient
to provide on-site storage, parking and landscaped areas. These locations
can be served by a complete array of community facilities and provide
for the regional transportation network.

Minimum lot area, area per dwelling unit, building setback from adjacent lot lines, lot width, front yard, side yard, rear yard and maximum building height, as displayed in Figure VI-5, shall apply subject to other requirements of this chapter.[1]

Minimum lot sizes may be reduced to 10,000 square feet when the lot
is created as part of a subdivision with an internal circulation network
where the lot does not access directly on a collector or arterial
street. However, the lot may access directly on a service road.

The minimum side yard building restriction line as contained in CC
and CB Zones may be eliminated in the case where adjacent fee-simple
lots share a building wall on common property lines. Reduction in
the building restriction lines under this subsection must comply with
the following conditions:

Accessory uses permitted in the BP Zone. In addition to those accessory uses allowed under § 297-29C, the following uses shall be allowed in the Business Park (BP) Zone when intended to primarily serve the employees of the business park subject to the restrictions set forth herein.

The total area of permitted accessory uses shall not exceed 15% of
the floor area of a building housing a permitted principal use, and
the site area or parcel used to accommodate all accessory uses shall
not exceed 15% of the total site area or subdivision area.

Site design and architectural review of site plans and buildings
for all commercial construction in the CN, CC, CB and BP Zones must
be obtained. All new construction, renovation and expansion projects
shall comply with all applicable sections of the site design and architectural
commercial and industrial guidelines and standards. Projects that
do not add more than 2,000 square feet of gross floor area or alter
more than 25% of the building facade or site area are exempt. The
guidelines and standards shall conform to appropriate planning principles
and to the purposes stated for the specific zone.

Objectives. These zones, General Industrial (IG) and Heavy Industrial
(IH), strengthen the economic environment of the County by recognizing
existing industrial uses and promoting industrial development in order
to broaden the County's tax base and create new jobs.

IH Heavy Industrial Zone. This zone provides appropriate locations
for larger scale or intensive processing which may generate substantially
more impact on surrounding properties than intended in the General
Industrial Zone.

Minimum lot area, area per dwelling unit, building setback from adjacent lot lines, lot width, front yard, side yard, rear yard and maximum building height, as displayed in Figure VI-6, shall apply subject to other requirements of this chapter.[1]

Minimum lot sizes may be reduced to 10,000 square feet when the lot
is created as part of a subdivision with an internal circulation network
where the lot does not access directly on a collector or arterial
street. However, the lot may access directly on a service road.

Site design and architectural review of site plans and buildings
for all commercial construction in the IG and IH Zones must be obtained.
All new construction, renovation and expansion projects shall comply
with all applicable sections of the site design and architectural
commercial and industrial guidelines and standards. Projects that
do not add more than 2,000 square feet of gross floor area or alter
more than 25% of the building facade or site area are exempt. The
guidelines and standards shall conform to appropriate planning principles
and to the purposes stated for the specific zone.

Purposes. The purpose of this zone is to recognize the existing Planned
Unit Development (PUD) Zone known as St. Charles. This zone shall
apply to the area within the PUD on the effective date of this chapter,
and at the discretion of the County Commissioner, to the following
specific parcels described in the following deeds: 30.45-acre parcel
at Liber 257, Folio 382; 90.085-acre parcel at Liber 265, Folio 116;
6.311-acre at Liber 1586, Folio 603, and to any additional land which
is contiguous to the PUD, now or hereafter, included within the St.
Charles PUD, upon approval by the County Commissioners of Charles
County, Maryland, as an amendment to Docket 90. Activity within the
zone is based on Docket 90, as amended.

It shall be designed and planned as an economically self-sufficient
community and to this end shall have not less than 10% nor more than
25% of its total area developed as commercial and industrial use.

It shall be designed and planned as an independent area for community
services and to this end shall have County-approved public water and
sewer systems and not less than 18% of its total area reserved for
recreation, open space and community facilities.

Permits. Following the approval of the Master Plan for the entire
zone, preliminary plans, improvement plans and final record plats
shall be prepared in accordance with the County Subdivision Regulations[1] and shall be approved by the Planning Commission for each
stage of development. Unless otherwise provided in this chapter or
other applicable laws, zoning permits and certificates of occupancy
may be issued even though the use of land, the location and height
of buildings to be erected in the area, minimum lot sizes, yards and
open space contemplated by the plans do not conform in all respects
to specific uses as set forth in other zones. Nothing herein shall
render inapplicable any regulations of the County relating to construction
requirements and/or subdivision approval to the extent that any of
the same are not inconsistent with the provisions of this section.

The purpose of this zone is to recognize the existing Waterfront
Planned Community (WPC) known as Swan Point. This zone shall apply
only to the area within the WPC on the effective date of this chapter,
except for the following specific parcels described as a 185.29-acre
parcel and a 15.59-acre parcel in a deed recorded at Liber 1503, Folio
295. These parcels may be included upon approval by the County Commissioners
as an amendment to Docket 250. No additional sites shall be considered
for WPCs after the adoption of this chapter. Activity within the zone
is based on Docket 250, as amended.

Uses permitted. The WPC provides suitable sites for varied residential
developments such as single-family attached and detached dwellings,
townhouses, marinas, recreation or any other uses considered appropriate
to a waterfront planned community development.

Requirements. The WPC Development shall be served by an approved
public water and sewer facility, and not less than 40% of its total
area shall be devoted to recreational development, open space and
community facilities. The total number of dwelling units permitted
for the entire WPC Zone will be set by the Planning Commission and
approved by the County Commissioners, but under no circumstances shall
the total number of dwelling units exceed three units per acre.

Permits. Following the approval of the General Development Plan for
the entire zone, preliminary plans, improvement plans, the final record
plats shall be prepared in accordance with the County Subdivision
Regulations[1] for approval by the Planning Commission for each stage
of development. Unless otherwise provided in this chapter or other
applicable laws, zoning permits and certificates of occupancy may
be issued even though the use of land, the location and height of
buildings to be erected in the area, minimum lot sizes, yards and
open space contemplated by the plans do not conform in all respects
to specific uses as set forth in other zones. Nothing herein shall
render inapplicable any regulations of the County relating to construction
requirements and/or subdivision approval to the extent that any of
the same are not inconsistent with the provisions of this section.

Objectives. It is the objective of the Core Mixed-Use Zones to create
mixed-use areas that are consistent with County plans and enhance
existing communities by: promoting new development that is safe, comfortable,
and attractive to pedestrians; encouraging infill and redevelopment
where applicable; reinforcing streets as public places that encourage
pedestrian and bicycle travel; providing roadway and pedestrian connections
to residential areas; designing and scaling buildings that will be
compatible with existing or planned development in the area; providing
efficient land use by facilitating compact, moderate- to high-density
development and minimizing the amount of land that is needed for surface
parking; facilitating development (land use mix, density and design)
that supports public transit and maintaining mobility along traffic
corridors and state highways.

Core Employment/Residential Zone (CER). This zone provides for development
which will successfully integrate a mixture of complementary land
uses that are primarily employment and residential but may also include
retail, commercial services, and civic uses, to create economic and
social vitality and encourage the linking of transportation and land
use.

Core Retail/Residential Zone (CRR). This zone provides for development
which successfully integrates a mixture of complementary land uses
that are primarily retail but may also include employment, residential,
commercial services, and civic uses, to create economic and social
vitality and encourage the linking of trips.

Core Mixed Residential Zone (CMR). This zone provides for high-density
residential development adjacent to the core employment/residential
and retail residential areas. It will incorporate a mix of housing
types and uses, along with traditional neighborhood design principles.

General regulations. Minimum lot area, area per dwelling unit, building setback from adjacent lot lines, lot width, front yard, side yard, rear yard, and maximum building height, as displayed in Figure VI-7, shall apply, subject to other requirements of this chapter.[1]

Minimum density shall be two dwelling units per acre. Any increase
over the permitted base residential density range shall be achieved
through the use of transferable development rights (TDRs). For additional
units, with the use of TDR, the density permitted may not exceed 15/DUs
per acre in the Core/Employment Residential (CER) and Core Retail/Residential
(CRR) Zones, and 10/DUs per acre in the Core Mixed Residential (CMR)
Zone.

Buildings will be sited to form a uniform front setback along all
arterial, major collector, and minor collector roads. All commercial
and mixed use buildings shall occupy a minimum of 70% of the lot width.

Required off-street parking spaces will be located at the rear of
buildings. Parking lots will be screened where visible from public
streets. Security cameras must be provided in all parking lots. Interior
lot parking is required for residential uses. Pedestrianways (e.g.,
ten-foot-wide walkways) from interior parking lots to streets should
be provided. Parking lots will not be located adjacent to major intersections
or occupy highly visible locations.

Uses in the core mixed-use zones that adjoin the Core Mixed
Residential Zone (CMR) must demonstrate compatibility with existing
or new development in those areas through means such as appropriately
scaled buildings, facade treatment, placement of parking, increased
setbacks (20 to 30 feet), fences and/or buffers.

Subdivision plans and site plans shall provide open space in
accordance with the Schedule of Zone Regulations. Required open space
shall be designed to provide parks, greens, plazas and other public
amenities; and provide for protection of sensitive environmental features,
the open space requirement may be satisfied by providing open space
on-site; or by creating a common open space lot for dedication to
the County or a property owners association; or by providing common
open space off-site within a Core Mixed-Use Zone or activity center
zone; or by payment of a fee-in-lieu as provided below:

For subdivision plans within the core mixed-use zones, dedication of open space may be used to meet the requirements for community open space given in Chapter 278, Subdivision Regulations, § 278-60 and 61.

The Planning Director may approve payment of a fee in lieu of
the required open space based on findings that the purpose and intent
of the core mixed use zone would be better met through contribution
to funding for common open space rather than through establishment
of the required open space on the particular site.

Enhance safety and visual appearance through the provision of
street trees and plantings strips located between streets and sidewalks
(whenever possible) to provide shade and buffer pedestrians from traffic.

Streetscape elements (including but not limited to sidewalks,
streetlights, street trees, street furniture, bicycle racks, landscaping
and planters, decorative paving, sculpture/artwork, and bus shelters)
shall be required for development approved through a site plan or
subdivision plan. For expansion of existing uses, streetscape elements
may be required by the Zoning Officer proportionate to the proposed
expansion.

Streetscape design consistency. The design of streetscape elements
shall be consistent within a development project and throughout each
zone. Streetscape elements shall be consistent with the County site
design and architectural guidelines.

Use of front setback area. For nonresidential or mixed use buildings,
the front setback area between the street right-of-way and the building
facade shall be used for sidewalks, landscaping, public seating areas
or other pedestrian-oriented features that enhance and contribute
to the streetscape.

If required streetscape elements cannot be provided within the
street right-of-way due to right-of-way constraints, the elements
shall be provided partially on the development site between the building
facade and the right-of-way.

For development activity requiring a subdivision plan or site
plan, sidewalks shall be installed along streets within or abutting
the development site. Sidewalks may be placed along one or both sides
of the street as deemed appropriate by the County.

Spacing. At least one large shade tree shall be planted per
40 linear foot of frontage along all public streets and major private
streets. Street trees may be spaced between 35 feet and 45 feet apart
on center.

Planting standards. Street trees shall be planted using either
underground planters with minimum dimensions of six feet by eight
feet and structural soil amendments; or the planting site shall be
prepared with a minimum of 120 cubic feet of rootable soil with structural
soil amendments.

Streetlights. Pedestrian-scaled, County-approved streetlighting
fixtures shall be installed on both sides of all streets at no more
than sixty-foot intervals measured parallel to the street. The developer
is responsible for the installation of streetlights only on the side
of the street being developed.

Other streetscape elements. All types of streetscape furniture
(including but not limited to benches, bike racks, movable seating,
game tables, trash receptacles, and public mailboxes) may be considered
in public spaces and along streets with mixed-use, commercial or office
development. Streets limited to residential uses should have more
limited street furniture such as trash receptacles and benches.

Curb bump-outs and bus turnouts may be incorporated into streetscape
design to provide physical separations, to mitigate the visual impact
of on-street parking areas and to serve as additional tree planting
areas or locations for streetscape amenities.

Purpose. The purpose of the Utility Transmission Lines Zone (UTL) is to recognize on the Zoning Maps of Charles County the existing and future use of land for overhead transmission lines which meet the criteria set forth in § 297-95B and which are owned in fee simple by the utility provider.

Overhead transmission lines within the UTL must be designed to carry
a voltage in excess of 69,000 volts as set forth in § 7-207(d)(1)
of the Public Utilities Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

The Activity Center Zones are established to promote and require
forms of development that create cohesive communities through the
integration of residential, retail, business, office and civic uses
into a network of streets, pedestrian ways and open space. Activity
center zones are intended to achieve the following objectives:

Transition time period for project design. Provide for a transitional
period where new development is not subject to all of the design standards
in this Code as redevelopment transitions to the overall community
vision for the area.

Waldorf Central Zone (WC). This zone provides for moderate- to high-density
development in the pattern of the downtown core of a traditional town,
with a mix and intensity of uses supportive of rail transit. Development
is to be consistent with the Downtown Waldorf Vision Plan and Design
Guidelines adopted by the County Commissioners.

Acton Urban Center Zone (AUC). This zone provides for high density,
urban-scaled development with a mix and intensity of uses supportive
of rail transit. Development is to be consistent with the Downtown
Waldorf Vision Plan and Design Guidelines adopted by the County Commissioners.

Buildings abutting an arterial highway (U.S. 301 and MD Business
Route 5) or a Waldorf Urban Major Collector, as identified in the
Downtown Waldorf Vision Plan and Design Guidelines, shall be developed
for mixed use or non-residential use. No solely residential buildings
are permitted in these locations.

Projects may be subdivided and/or phased as stand-alone projects
as desired, provided that each phase meets the Code requirements.
Phasing will permit a single parcel to be developed in stages in compliance
with the design requirements of this chapter. A conceptual phasing
plan shall be included as a part of the site development review process.

The transitional use period shall begin from the adoption date
of this section (6-10-2014) and ending two years from when sewer capacity
is available to service the property. Existing uses may remain as
permitted and expand only on-site, including:

Garden apartment, mid-rise and high-rise dwellings in residential-only
buildings shall be subject to a minimum density of 15 dwelling units
per acre. There is no minimum density for apartments within mixed-use
buildings.

There are no maximum density requirements for apartments. The floor
area ratio and building height requirements in the Schedule of Zone
Regulations determine the allowed scale and intensity of apartment
and mixed-use development.

Transition in building height: Where a lot in an Activity Center
Zone is within 40 feet of a single-family detached home outside the
Activity Center Zones, the maximum top plate height for any structure
on the lot shall not exceed 36 feet.

Porches, steps and covered entries shall not project more than
eight feet from the building facade. They may be extended into the
minimum front setback area but shall not extend into the public street
right-of-way.

All facades visible to the public (from a street, public or
private open space, or parking area located interior to a block) shall
provide quality architectural materials and detailing. Blank building
walls/facades are not permitted.

Mechanical equipment. Mechanical equipment (such as air compressors,
pumps, transformers, meters, boxes, and HVAC units) shall be visually
screened from public streets and public open spaces. Screening methods
may include locating equipment upon a roof behind a parapet wall or
to the rear of the building, fencing, or appropriate landscaping.

Trademark buildings with franchise architecture shall conform
in full to the Design Guidelines. Departures for the purpose of conforming
to corporate design and architectural standards are not permitted.

Dedication and construction of new roads and widening of existing
roads within and abutting a subdivision shall implement the road network
shown in the Downtown Waldorf Vision Plan and Design Guidelines.

The Planning Commission may approve a subdivision plan that
does not fully implement the road recommendations of Downtown Waldorf
Vision Plan and Design Guidelines if the size and configuration of
the property makes implementation through the subdivision process
infeasible.

If the Planning Commission or Planning Director determines that full construction of proposed roads is not necessary at the time of subdivision, rights-of-ways for proposed roads shall be dedicated or reserved to the extent reasonably feasible as provided in § 278-83 of Chapter 278, Subdivision Regulations.

Site development plans. If the property shown on a proposed
site plan contains or abuts a road shown on the Downtown Waldorf Vision
Plan and Design Guidelines, to the extent possible improvements shall
be located to reserve the full road right-of-way for future road construction.

Enhance safety and visual appearance through the provision of
street trees and planting strips located between streets and sidewalks
(whenever possible) to provide shade and buffer pedestrians from traffic.

Streetscape elements (including but not limited to sidewalks, streetlights, street trees, street furniture, bicycle racks, landscaping and planters, decorative paving, sculpture/artwork, and bus shelters) shall be required for development approved through a site development plan or subdivision plan. See § 297-97N, Figure VI-8,[4] for thresholds and applicability of streetscape requirements.

Streetscape design consistency. The design of streetscape elements
shall be consistent within a development project and throughout each
zone. Streetscape elements shall be consistent with the Downtown Waldorf
Design Guidelines.

Use of front setback area. For nonresidential or mixed-use buildings,
the front setback area between the street right-of-way and the building
facade shall be used for sidewalks, landscaping, public seating areas
or other pedestrian-oriented features that enhance and contribute
to the streetscape.

If required streetscape elements cannot be provided within the
street right-of-way due to right-of-way constraints, the elements
shall be provided partially on the development site between the building
facade and the right-of-way.

For development activity requiring a subdivision plan or site
plan, sidewalks shall be installed along streets within and abutting
the development site where appropriate, based upon the road standards
established by the Downtown Waldorf Vision Plan, Section 5.3 and Figures
4 through 8.

The width and design of sidewalks and planting strips shall
be guided by the Downtown Waldorf Vision Plan and Sections 4.1 and
4.3 of the Downtown Waldorf Design Guidelines and reviewed as part
of the site development plan review process.

Spacing: At least one large shade tree shall be planted per
40 linear foot of frontage along all public streets and major private
streets. Street trees may be spaced between 35 feet and 45 feet apart
on center.

Planting standards. Street trees shall be planted using either
underground planters with minimum dimensions of six feet by eight
feet and structural soil amendments or the planting site shall be
prepared with a minimum of 120 cubic feet of rootable soil with structural
soil amendments.

Streetlights. Pedestrian-scaled, County-approved streetlighting fixtures
shall be installed on both sides of all streets at no more than sixty-foot
intervals measured parallel to the street. The developer is responsible
for the installation of streetlights only on the side of the street
being developed.

Other streetscape elements. All types of streetscape furniture (including
but not limited to benches, bike racks, movable seating, game tables,
trash receptacles, and public mailboxes) may be considered to be placed
in public spaces and along streets with mixed-use, commercial or office
development. Streets limited to residential uses should have more
limited street furniture such as trash receptacles and benches.

Curb bump-outs and bus turn-outs may be incorporated into streetscape
design to provide physical separations, to mitigate the visual impact
of on-street parking areas and to serve as additional tree planting
areas or locations for streetscape amenities.

Intent. Site and building signs should complement the architectural
composition and design of the building and the surrounding environment.
Durable, attractive, and well-maintained signs attract potential customers,
provide directional orientation, and contribute to the look and feel
of the community.

Intent. Lighting should be a cohesive element of architectural and
environmental design to strengthen the appearance and functionality
of structures and their surroundings while providing adequate safety
and visibility. Light fixtures should be constructed of attractive,
high-quality materials, be incorporated into the design of the project,
direct glare away from adjoining properties and public rights-of-way,
and reduce light pollution.

Comprehensive lighting plans shall be provided with site plan
submittals for new institutional, office, mixed-use and retail/commercial
buildings. These lighting plans shall be accompanied by plans, sketches,
or photographs indicating the design, size, methods of lighting fixture
attachment and shielding.

Intent. Attractive landscaping provides a wealth of benefits for
a community, including adding beauty, stabilizing soil, cooling the
environment, filtering pollutants, providing buffers between uses
and increasing property values. Trees, flowering plants, shrubs, and
high-quality walls and fencing should be used on lots and within street
rights-of-ways to create a pleasant and comfortable environment and
to screen unattractive uses, parking areas, and mechanical equipment.

Public spaces and on-site open space. Public spaces and on-site open
space shall be planted with shade trees, evergreen shrubs, and other
appropriate landscaping to provide shade, increase air quality, and
treat stormwater, as well as to add interest, visual appeal, and year-round
greenery and color. Other devices, such as trellises, covered walkways,
pavilions, and gazebos are also encouraged in public spaces.

The bufferyard requirements established in Articles XXII and XXIII do not apply between land uses or along roads within the Activity Center Zones. Bufferyard requirements apply along the boundaries of the Activity Center Zones as required between zoning districts and along principal arterial highways.

Intent. Parking areas are a necessary accessory use but should not
dominate the streetscape, obscure building frontages, or overwhelm
the visual environment. The parking requirements in this section reduce
on-site parking requirements while encouraging shared parking facilities
to ensure that sufficient parking is available to support a mix of
land uses. Shared parking areas reduce paved areas and provide increased
opportunities for landscaping, buildings, and open space, contributing
to the quality of the visual environment.

On-street. For parking parallel to the curb, 22 feet of linear
frontage on a street where parking is allowed shall be counted as
one parking space. On-street parking spaces must be on the same side
of the street as the use being served by the spaces.

Freestanding parking structures are permitted. These shall be
located on the interior of the block or at the rear of the property,
and shall be accessed from a side street, alley, or entrance drive-aisle.
Freestanding parking structures located adjacent to a public street
right-of-way other than an alley shall be set back a minimum of 10
feet from the right-of-way.

Additional landscape materials within the landscape area may
consist of shade trees, low shrubs and ground cover. A minimum of
one shade tree shall be provided per 35 linear feet of parking lot
frontage on a public street, excluding driveway openings.

Drive-in and drive-through windows. Drive-in or drive-through
windows shall not be permitted for any new use except banks. Drive-through
windows for banks shall be located to the rear of the lot and shall
not front the street.

Intent. Subdivision plans and site plans within the Activity Center
Zones shall provide open space in accordance with the requirements
in the Schedule of Zone Regulations. The open space shall contribute
to the creation of a comprehensive system of parks, pathways and open
space; provide pocket parks, greens, plazas and other public amenities;
and provide for protection of sensitive environmental features.

Open space required by the Schedule of Zone Regulations may be provided
on-site, by creating a common open space lot for dedication to the
County or a property owners' association, by providing common
open space off-site within the same activity center, or by payment
of a fee-in-lieu as provided below.

For subdivision plans within the Activity Center Zones, dedication of open space may be used to meet the requirements for community open space given in Chapter 278, Subdivision Regulations, §§ 278-60 and 278-61.

The Planning Director may approve payment of a fee in lieu of
the required open space based on findings that the purpose and intent
of the Activity Center District would be met better through contribution
to funding for common open space rather than through the establishment
of the required open space on the particular site.

If a proposed development in the Waldorf Central Zone or Acton Urban
Center Zone is on a site for which the Downtown Waldorf Vision Plan
and Design Guidelines show proposed greenways, parks, pathways and
other community open space areas:

Reservation. If the property shown on a proposed site plan contains
or abuts a public infrastructure improvement (including but not limited
to transit facilities and stormwater facilities) shown on the Downtown
Waldorf Vision Plan and Design Guidelines, to the extent possible
other improvements shall be located to reserve the full right-of-way
for future construction of said public infrastructure improvement.

Limits of applicability. The Activity Center Zones will be applied to areas with existing residences, businesses and industries. The Activity Center Zones are intended to allow existing uses to continue, while the goals of the zones are gradually realized through infill, redevelopment and major expansion. Figure VI-8[5] establishes thresholds at which the requirements of this section shall be applied to proposed development in the WC and AUC Zones. Any request for expansion or extension of a nonconforming use shall first comply with the provisions and processes established in Article XXVIII, Nonconforming Uses, of this chapter. These expansion or extension of nonconforming use thresholds shall not apply during the transitional period.

The minimum building height required by Figure VI-9, Schedule of Zone Regulations,[6] shall not apply to new buildings or building additions
within the Action Urban Center (AUC) Zone. The Waldorf Central Zone
(WC) shall require a minimum of two stories for new development.

The maximum parking is set at 100% of the required parking for
the proposed use, but 80% of the required parking can be provided
with additional on-street or off-site parking allocated for the proposed
use.

To implement the direction and intent of the Comprehensive Plan with
regards to protection of the Mattawoman Creek Stream Valley and the
headwaters of the Port Tobacco River and to protect the watershed
area's natural resources for its long-term value to the community,
the ecological, aesthetic and scenic values and its recreation and
economic value as a sustainable resource.

General regulations. Residential development is limited to a gross density of one unit per 20 acres. Minimum lot area, area per dwelling unit, building setback from adjacent lot lines, lot width, front yard, side yard, rear yard, and maximum building height are displayed on Figure VI-10,[1] shall apply, and are subject to other requirements of
this chapter. Legal lots of record less than one unit per 20 acres
are permitted to obtain one single-family dwelling unit building permit
(and accessory use permits) per legal lot of record.

Impervious surface restrictions. In order to protect the natural
resources in this area, impervious surface coverage, such as buildings,
pavement or other man-made materials, is limited to 8% of the property.
Legal lots of record of three acres in size or smaller may have an
impervious surface coverage up to but not to exceed 10,500 square
feet. Development areas shall be designated on any site development
plan, development services permit plans, clearing or grading permit
or building permit. The applicant shall demonstrate how much impervious
surface is located on the subject property. Calculations shall be
provided to determine that impervious surface is no greater than 8%
of the subject property.

Minor combined or cumulative additions up to 25% of the main
structure, or accessory uses of existing legally permitted uses and
legal lots of record. Property under three acres can build up to a
maximum of 10,500 square feet even if it exceeds 25% as noted above.

Development that utilizes best management practices (BMP), mitigates
impervious surface coverage and also has an inspection and maintenance
agreement may exceed the eight-percent impervious surface restriction
by an equivalent area that is treated by the BMP.

Development within the Watershed Conservation Zoning District
which is not serviced by public water and sewer is required to utilize
the best available technology (BAT) septic system to further reduce
nitrogen entering the groundwater and streams.

Streams shall be designated on any application for site development
plan. Development services permit, land clearing, grading or building
permit applications, and conceptual subdivision plans and shall clearly
illustrate buffer areas of no disturbance in compliance with the Zoning
Ordinance.

Zoning Map boundary and criteria. The Watershed Conservation District
(WCD) Zoning Map is based on the Watershed Conservation District Land
Use Map. The Land Use Map is a generalized conceptual map, and the
Zoning Map is more site-specific. For small developed parcels on the
edge of the district, the property line was used as the WCD boundary.
Some other parcels have split or multiple zones. For those properties
where the boundary was set as the Stream Valley's top of slope,
boundary modifications related to the exact location of the top of
slope can be considered by the Planning and Growth Management staff
upon approval by the Zoning Officer based on site-verified conditions
and data.

WCD areas can include open space, forest conservation, public
uses, stormwater management and access to support the entire project,
provided it meets the impervious surface and other development requirements
for the WCD area;

Existing developments. Existing developments that are no longer considered to be permitted uses within the WCD Zoning District as of adoption of this WCD section are considered legally nonconforming uses and may continue to exist per the requirements of Article XXVIII, Nonconforming Uses, of this Zoning Ordinance.

Pending development applications. Pending development applications
that are located within the WCD area and have not been approved but
are under review at the time of adoption of this section may continue
for review and approval under the previous regulations in place, provided
they have one of the following:

Previously approved development applications not completed. Applications
that are located within the WCD Zone with previous approvals at the
time of adoption of this section may continue for review and development
under the previous regulations in place, provided they have one of
the following:

New development. New development applications that are located within
the WCD Zone and are submitted after the time of adoption of this
section must comply with all development regulations and uses as outlined
in this section.

Contract or other property rights. Any property owner who asserts
they have contractual or property zoning rights and thus should be
exempt from the Watershed Conservation District zoning regulations
may apply to the Zoning Officer for a letter of determination of exemption.

Development consistency. Development within the Watershed Conservation District shall be consistent with Figure VI-10, Schedule of Zone Regulations,[4] and Article XIII, Minimum Standards for Special Exceptions and Uses Permitted With Conditions.

Transfer of development rights (TDRS) and purchase of development rights (PDRS). The Watershed Conservation District shall serve as a TDR "sending area" per Article XVII, Transferable Development Rights (TDRs) in Designated Agricultural Land Preservation Districts.

Intrafamily transfers of property within the Watershed Conservation
District (WCD) is to recognize the family legacy associated with the
land and to allow for the limited transfer of land from the property
owner to an immediate family member as sale or gift for their use
in this zoning district that otherwise would not be permitted due
to density restrictions.

Total number of parcels or lots. Intrafamily transfers will be permitted
on parcels of land in the Watershed Conservation District (WCD) Zoning
District where a portion of such parcel in the WCD is at least 10
acres and not more than 60 acres in size.

Lots created pursuant to these provisions shall not be created
for the purpose of ultimate commercial sale. A lot created pursuant
to these provisions may not be subsequently conveyed to any person
except as provided herein:

Any lot created under this subsection may not be transferred or sold
to a third party who is not a member of the owner's immediate
family or holder of a mortgage or deed of trust on the property unless
and until the Planning Commission has determined the following conditions
apply:

A change in circumstances has occurred since the original transfer,
which would warrant permitting a subsequent transfer, when such circumstances
are consistent with the warrants and exceptions contained herein;

A change in circumstances may include situations where the intrafamily
transfer recipient has not resided in the County for the past five
consecutive years and signs an affidavit verifying their intent not
to reside in Charles County or demonstrates significant financial
hardship; or

Deeds of transfer shall include a covenant stating that the lot is
subject to the provisions of this subsection and be approved for legal
sufficiency by the County Attorney's Office prior to recordation
of the intrafamily lot(s). These covenants shall restrict the subsequent
transfer or sale of the lot or lots created pursuant to the intrafamily
transfer provisions contained herein to a third party who is not a
member of the owner's immediate family or a holder of a mortgage
or deed of trust on the property except as otherwise provided herein.

No new structures or buildings with drive-through facilities shall
be permitted in the Hughesville Village Zone. Existing structures
or buildings with drive-through facilities shall be allowed to continue
use of their existing drive-through facilities as permitted uses.
The addition of new drive-through facilities onto existing buildings
shall not be permitted.

Subdivision proposals in the Hughesville Village Zone shall contribute
to an interconnected street network conforming conceptually but not
in exact detail to the street network illustrated by Map 11, "Future
Land Use and Circulation Plan," of the Hughesville Village Revitalization
Plan.[3]

Road improvements that are required through the site plan or subdivision
process shall conform to the criteria of Table 2.01.02 of the Charles
County Road Ordinance, "Summary of Design Criteria: Designated Urban
Areas."[4] New streets must form a network that provides choices
in travel and distribution of traffic and adheres to the following
standards:

New streets should define blocks with lengths between 400 and
800 feet as measured from right-of-way to right-of-way of the intersecting
streets. Longer blocks, where necessary, should have midblock pathways
between lots to provide pedestrian access through the block. Blocks
over 800 feet in length may be approved east of MD Route 5.

The streetlight requirements may be waived only by the Zoning
Officer based upon findings that streetlights at the particular location
are impractical or not desirable for public convenience or safety.

If the property shown on a proposed site plan is contained within
or abuts a planned public infrastructure improvement, site improvements
shall be located to reserve the area of the full right-of-way needed
for future construction of said public infrastructure improvement.
The area to be reserved shall be shown on the site plan for future
construction. Said planned public infrastructure improvements may
include but are not limited to the following:

Development in the HV Zone is subject to site design and architectural review (SDAR). Approval of subdivision plans, site plans and building permits shall be subject to determination that the plans comply with the County architectural and site design guidelines and standards. Guidelines and standards shall be applied in a manner consistent with the objectives for the HV Zone and subzones. If the SDAR requirements conflict with the standards in Subsection E(2), (3), and (4) below, the more stringent requirement shall prevail.

In addition to the SDAR requirements, new buildings and additions
to existing buildings should be generally compatible with the massing,
scale, and proportion of existing historic structures located in the
same subzone and within 500 feet of the development site. In particular,
new construction should be generally compatible with either of the
following:

Commercial buildings: early 20th century commercial buildings,
one to two stories in height and located close to the street right-of-way,
near the intersection of Old Leonardtown Road and MD Route 231.

Residential buildings: late 19th/early 20th century vernacular
Victorian dwellings, within the Residential Subzone along Old Leonardtown
Road. However, it would also be appropriate for these dwellings to
be adaptively reused for certain commercial uses, such as bed-and-breakfast
and tourist homes, subject to the requirements of this section.

Preservation and reuse of historic or architecturally significant structures listed on the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties is preferred. Exterior alterations should protect the historic character of the structure. Furthermore, properties that have been designated in accordance with § 297-524 are eligible for reduced requirements as outlined in Subsection H(6)(c) and (7)(a) of this section.

Any wall surface that exceeds 30 feet in length shall include an interruption in the horizontal plane of the wall of at least four feet high and at least 15 feet long. (See Figure VI-11.[6]) The only exception to this is industrial buildings, which
shall comply with the facade articulation standards in the architectural
and site design guidelines and standards. The SDAR reviewer or designee
may approve an alternate design that uses other design features to
divide the facade into smaller increments to create visual interest
and a human scale.

Windows shall be vertical in proportion, with the exception
of storefront windows. Mirrored, reflective, or darkly tinted glass
shall not be used for windows visible from public streets or public
areas.

Front yard fences and walls shall not exceed three feet in height.
Side and rear yard fences shall not exceed six feet in height. Fences
and walls visible from the street shall be made of high-quality, attractive
materials such as brick, stone, finished decorative concrete, and
wrought iron or other decorative metals.

Signage and lighting. The following requirements apply within the Hughesville Village Zone in addition to the requirements of Article XIX, Signs, § 297-305, Lighting requirements, and § 297-306, Lighting standards. If the requirements are in conflict, the more stringent requirement shall prevail. The following requirements shall not apply to village center signs, which are regulated pursuant to § 297-322C of this chapter.

Any sign that is illuminated shall be lit by external lighting fixtures only. External lighting fixtures used to illuminate signage shall be full cutoff fixtures to reduce sky glow and glare. The only exception is LED signs, which shall comply with the general sign regulations contained in Article XIX.

Pole-mounted commercial signs are not permitted. A nonresidential
use may have one single, double-sided monument sign per street frontage,
not to exceed 25 square feet in area and five feet in height. Monument
signs shall have attractive landscaping at the base of the sign. Landscaping
shall use native plant species and shall not block sight distance.

Residential subdivisions. Residential subdivisions are permitted within the Core, Gateway and Residential Subzones. The lot size, setback and other requirements for each subzone are established in Figure VI-12.[7] In addition, the following design standards apply:

If a property is subdivided that has a structure listed on the Maryland
Inventory of Historic Properties, the lot created for the historic
structure should encompass an adequate yard area to preserve the historic
setting of the structure.

Attached garages are permitted, provided the garage entrance
faces to the side or rear, or if front facing, is recessed at least
five feet from the primary front facade of the dwelling. Within existing
subdivisions, new garages may vary from this standard to conform to
the pattern of existing garages within the subdivision.

Open space requirement. Open space required by the Schedule of Zone Regulations shall be provided in accordance with Article VI of the Charles County Subdivision Regulations.[8] Required open space shall be provided as follows:

Square: formally arranged open space area available for unstructured
recreation and civic purposes. Its edges are defined by building or
street edges, and it serves as a central focus for surrounding properties.
Its landscape consists of paths, lawns, and trees. A square may be
from 1/4 of an acre to two acres in size.

Greenways with paths: corridors of protected open space managed
for conservation and recreation, often following natural land or water
features. They separate the walking and cycling public from vehicular
traffic patterns.

Environmentally sensitive design/stormwater management facilities
(as defined in the Stormwater Management Ordinance[9]) and associated access driveways shall not be included
within the usable open space.

Lots having frontage on Old Leonardtown Road or MD Route 231 shall be developed and used only for nonresidential use or mixed use buildings. Existing single-family detached dwellings may remain as provided in § 297-465E and furthermore may be expanded without compliance with the maximum front yard requirement established in Figure VI-14, Schedule of Zone Regulations.[10]

Proposed subdivisions shall indicate the intended use of lots
along proposed new streets within the Core and Gateway Subzones: either
residential or nonresidential/mixed use. Lots shall be restricted
to the category of land use indicated on the approved subdivision
plat.

Existing structures with larger front setbacks than the required maximum front setback may be expanded without bringing the building into compliance with the setback. The structure may be expanded to reduce the nonconformity as provided in § 297-465F. In addition, if an expansion would reasonably be placed to the side or rear of the existing structure due to its function (such as storage or utility area), it does not need to reduce the nonconformity. Building additions for customer or public access shall include improvements to pedestrian access from the public street.

In the Hughesville Village Gateway Zone, buildings may be divided into a front and rear portion. The portion closest to the public street right-of-way shall be at least 40 feet deep from the primary building facade and meet the height standards in Subsection H(4)(a) and (b) above. The rear portion may include a higher one-story section, with maximum height of 30 feet.

Front yard areas. The front yard between the street right-of-way
and the building facade shall be used for sidewalks, landscaping,
public seating, outdoor dining, or other pedestrian-oriented features
that enhance and contribute to the streetscape. The front yard may
include environmentally sensitive design/stormwater management facilities
(as defined in the Stormwater Management Ordinance[12]) if the location and planting enhance and contribute to
the streetscape.

These limits shall not apply to businesses within historic structures or sites that are listed on the Maryland Inventory of Historic Properties and that are historic sites designated in accordance with § 297-524.

The minimum parking spaces required by Article XX may be reduced by up to 50% for nonresidential uses if the Planning Director finds, based on information submitted with a site plan application, that there is an adequate supply of shared and on-street parking spaces in the vicinity of the use. The Planning Director may approve additional parking reductions for historic sites designated in accordance with § 297-524.

Off-street parking shall be located to the rear or side of buildings.
For parking located in a side yard, the parking spaces and drive aisles
shall be at least five feet to the rear of the front building facade.

In the Gateway Subzone, if the building is set back 10 or more
feet from the public street right-of-way, landscaping shall be provided
between the building and the street consisting of at least two canopy
trees, four understory trees, and 20 shrubs per 100 feet of street
frontage.

Where parking areas are located to the side of a building, a landscape area shall be provided between the street right-of-way and the parking area. In lieu of the parking area perimeter landscaping requirements of § 297-358, the following shall be required:

In the Core Subzone, a landscape area at least six feet in width,
with a minimum of one canopy tree and six shrubs per 35 linear feet
of parking lot frontage on a public street, excluding driveway openings.

In the Gateway Subzone, a landscape area at least 12 feet in
width, with a minimum of one canopy tree, two understory trees, and
10 shrubs per 35 feet of parking lot frontage on a public street,
excluding driveway openings.

Lots used solely for parking shall provide a twelve-foot-wide
landscape area along the street right-of-way in both the Core and
Gateway Subzones, with landscaping as required above for the Gateway
Subzone.

Infill. To ensure that new dwellings are compatible with the character
of established neighborhoods, the following requirements apply to
new dwellings on subdivision streets developed prior to the adoption
of the Hughesville Village Zone:

The front setback of new dwellings shall be consistent with
the established setback line, where one exists, generally not varying
by more than 25% from the average front setback of existing dwellings
on the same side of the street and within the same block.

New dwellings shall be proportional in scale with existing dwellings,
generally not varying by more than 25% from the average front facade
width of dwellings on the same side of the street and within the same
block.

Standards specific to Employment Subzone. The following standards
apply to properties in the Employment Subzone that have frontage on
Old Leonardtown Road or MD Route 231, in addition to the applicable
provisions of the architectural and site design guidelines and standards:

Fleet parking, outdoor storage, loading, mechanical equipment and
outdoor operations areas shall be located in a rear yard and screened
from the street by buildings whenever possible. When not screened
by a building, such uses shall be screened by a Type D bufferyard.

Existing structures and uses. The Hughesville Village Zone is intended to allow for the continuance of existing uses, while the objectives of the zone are gradually realized through adaptive reuse, infill, redevelopment and expansion. Figure VI-13[14] establishes thresholds at which the requirements of this section shall be applied to proposed development. Any request for expansion or extension of a nonconforming use shall first comply with the provisions and processes established in Article XXVIII (Nonconforming Uses) of this chapter. Expansions or renovations shall comply with the standards of this section except as established by Figure VI-13.

Permitted uses. Figure VI-15 establishes permitted uses in the Hughesville Village Subzones.[15] If a use is permitted subject to conditions or permitted by special exception, then the conditions established in § 297-212 shall apply to the use.